Islamabad: Minister  for  Climate Change Sherry Rehman revealed that over 900 people were killed during monsoons across Pakistan since June this year, while 1,293 were left injured.

“Heartbreaking scenes of rain and flood devastation are emerging from all over country,” she said in a series of tweets. “Since June, 903 people, including 326 children and 191 women have died in various incidents of monsoons and floods.” According to data shared by minister, highest number of deaths and injuries during time period was recorded in Sindh and Balochistan. She said that thousands of people had been displaced due to floods, claiming that a “humanitarian crisis” had arisen across country.

“Government is utilising all available resources to help flood victims,” stressing that local administrations and provinces needed more resources to deal with catastrophe. She underscored need to meet shortfall in resources, emphasising attracting partners and donors at national and international level. “Thousands of people trapped in floods are waiting for rescue and relief. This is not time for division, but for unity.

We have to deal with and overcome humanitarian crisis as a nation, not separately,” she added.

Videos and photos emerging on social media show towns, villages, and cities inundated with no sign of life. Teams of National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Army have been deployed in flood-affected areas across country to rescue people.

Pakistan has urged the international community and philanthropists to help with relief efforts as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of torrential rains that triggered massive floods, killing more than 900 people. According to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), heavy monsoon rainfall and floods have affected some 2.3 million people in Pakistan since mid-June, destroying at least 95,350 houses and damaging a further 224,100.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 25 2022

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